Police in Zimbabwe say at least 18 people were killed Sunday when two buses smashed into a truck within seconds of each other.

At least 30 others were seriously injured in the accident, which happened on a highway about 80 kilometers west of the capital, Harare.

Police say the truck was stationary when it was hit by one bus that veered off the road, then another bus just a few seconds later. It was not immediately clear why the truck had stopped and where it was positioned on the road.

Thirteen people died at the scene while five others died after being taken to a nearby hospital.

Fatal road accidents are common in Zimbabwe, where the roads are riddled with potholes after years of neglect in the ailing economy.